The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-05-26
Correspondence Ne0s and Observer.
A STUMBLING BLOCK :

AL dS1lOu1oO1d III oOpdIuu4Oho Ado
long been in the hearts Of the people
of North Carolina, and n has been
established BX the constitution and by
Legislation. ItA management has not
been satisfactorily was thought to
be extravagant and unsuited to the
lends aimed ak And the public de-
lmand was, that it beNreformed. The
reformation uppermost in the public
heart for some years has been an Ag-
'ricultural and Mechanical College, a
friendly enemy of which has been the
University. All of it's powerful in
-fuence against it has been used on the
ground that>i it would conflict with the
Interests of the University. But the
General Assembly at it's last session
set it's foot down firmly and determ-
lined that the college should be estab
lished and provided the means. APP
pointed an efficient board. And the
word was, EGO ahead, quickp And
the publicwas expectant and it's friends
confident.
But now comes a stumbling block
One of the reliable men to carry out
the purpose, Mr.. Fries, a truestee, is
out in the News and Observer of the
18th of May, saying that the college
cannot be built, and ought not to be
begun, under present circumstances I!
When 1 was a child, too young to
remember where, I saw the proverb,
81 can't do it, never accomplished
anything I will try, has wrought
wonders"
In the last great conflict, those who
were anxious for it said, "Strike a
blow |" The blow was struck, and
the result followed. If you want to
build a house, lay the first brick. IF
you want to do anything, begin. Not
rashly, to be sure, but resolutely.
Here is no rashness. Everybody says,
begin! The legislature, the State,
says, we are ready. And we regret to
hear Mr. Fries, who has been entrusted
with the work say, as he does, II
prefer to remain inactive"
But still Mr.. Fries good sense and
his good intentions, entitle his views
to u consideration, lest we begin to
build what we shall not be able to
finish which is unwise.
Mr.. Fries was one of a committee
to visit like institutions elsewhere
which have been established with
wealth and in magnifcence and from
these Mr.. Fries concludes, that while
a small amount would provide tempo
rary buildings, "yet the ultimate cost
would be $4,000 !; andtiFW d keep
up with the times, may have to be in
creased . =
Now we hope it will be along time
before we will put $12O, 900 in brick
and mortar for such a purpose. Bet
ter build a bush-arbor and begin under
that And grow and grow as we
have strength. The legislature and
other wise friends think that we have
enough to begin with, and urge us to
begin. s
It would be unjust to say that Mr.
Fries fears of a failure of funds. are
wholly groundless, groundlessI think
they are but not wholly SO. !
lst. He has information that the
appropriation made by Congress will
not be available before next session
next winter. Well, that is near by.
I'd. But his main fear is that under
the late decision of the United States
Supreme Court the fertilizer tax will
fail 9
| have considered that. carefully,
and | give the result
1t is settled that North Carolina can
not pass a law to prevent a citizen of
another State from bringing or send.
ing his goods here for sale. If that is